Posted on Friday, 16th September 2011 by Auw Jimmy

“USB On-The-Go” is not really a new thing actually. But since I have ‘exiled’ myself from the glamorous gadget world, probably I have missed this one. So, I just acquire a Nokia E7, featured with USB On-The-Go. Basically, you can plug a standard device like keyboard, mouse, or flash drive on it (and get a flexible control over your supported device). But I would like to try a different approach. How if I plug standard USB Audio Device (USB sound card)?

I read somewhere that the maximum power supply current supported is 200 mA. Well, probably some USB sound card could take more. But, no risk, no gain, right? I check several of my USB sound card collection and start playing around. Btw, I also plug my Samsung MP3 Player. The idea is to copy some music file from it. But eventually it starts to charge the device itself (damned, charging from battery to battery?). My Nokia E7 “screams” by showing a warning message that the connected device is consuming a lot of power (or similar warning – sorry, forget the detail).

I plug my MAYA EX5 USB sound card. Nokia E7 recognizes the device, but it says ‘limited function’. I think because MAYA EX5 uses non-standard USB audio device (it’s multi channel which is not common in USB audio peripherals). Since I think it needs special driver, then the Nokia E7 couldn’t redirect the sound into this sound card. So, we remove this from our list.

Then I find out a standard USB sound card, the ASUS Xonar U1 USB. This sound card is quite nice, with adequate headphone output quality. Nokia E7 recognizes this device with no problem and suddenly the music is redirected into the ASUS Xonar U1. I plug my headphone then start to enjoy the music.

FYI, the ASUS Xonar U1 used on this and shown on the photo below has been modded completely, especially on the capacitor side with Black Gate and Elna Cerafine. Click the link to find out the modification detail. The sound has improved in quite significant margin.

Below is the Nokia E7 connected to the heavily modded ASUS Xonar U1 via “USB On-The-Go” feature.

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Tags: DAC, E7, MP3, Nokia, sound card, usb, USB On-The-Go, WAV
Posted in DIY Audio, IT/Gadget | Comments (5)

Posted on Sunday, 10th May 2009 by Auw Jimmy

After around 20 hours testing of my previous Asus Xonar U1 Mods, I think I need to add some more mods here.

I have some plans here:

• Old Blu-Tack tricks
• PSU capacitors bypassing

Since 20 hours is not enough to listen complete characters of my previous mod, so we can eliminate the 2nd option. Let’s go with the first option, the Blu-Tack tricks. I’ve done this Blu-Tack mod before, please check it.

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Tags: Asus, Capacitor, mod, pc audio, usb, xonar u1
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Posted on Friday, 8th May 2009 by Auw Jimmy

Yesterday, it was at 00:00 am at the morning and I just couldn’t close my eyes. I’ve planned to mod my Asus Xonar U1, but never thought I would do it yesterday, in the middle of the night

Asus Xonar U1 is a “cheap” USB sound card, powered by C-Media Nitrogen D2 audio processor. The photo as below Cute with red/blue blinking lighting.

I want to put a warning first. Actually, modding such card will not bring outrageous result. So consider this mod is only for fun, huh… If you have extra capacitors on your shelf, extra time, and extra skill to de-solder those small capacitors inside. Let’s begin!

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Tags: Asus, Capacitor, mod, pc audio, usb, xonar u1
Posted in DIY Audio | Comments (5)